Help me decide...

A

ach224

Inactive
I have a .270 Stevens 200 that I have built into a very serviceable hunting rifle - shoots right at 1 moa at 100 yards. I recently have been itching to get a .308 primarily for target/long range (100-500 yards) shooting; however, I'm kind of on a budget (around $500). I know I could achieve this by upgrading the barrel and stock on my Stevens, but I want a hunting rifle and a range rifle. This being said, I want something that is sub-moa out of the box and doesn't require a lot of work to make it a tack-driver. Here is what I have boiled it down to:

Vanguard Series 2
Howa 1500
TC Venture

I know that the Vanguard S2 has the Howa action and guarantees the sub-mao performance that I am looking for. On paper, I am leaning this direction; however, I really like to look and feel of the TC Venture which is also know for its performance out of the box. And then you have the Howa 1500 in the mix as well. I need help deciding. Thoughts? Any experience with any of these?

Also, before the recommendations start coming in, I have removed Savage and Remington from my selection. I do not like the flimsy Savage stocks and as mentioned above, am not really looking for a rifle that I have to build out. And, I hate the feel of the Remington actions, especially in the price range I'm looking at. Other than these, I am open for suggestions as well.

Thanks in advance!
 
I have a Vanguard S2 in 243 Winchester, and it is very accurate when using the right reloads. I have shot multiple .25" groups with it, as have others who shot it. I have no experience with the other rifles you mentioned, so I can't comment on those.
 
I would also vote for the Vanguard, but my hunting partner has a T/C Venture in .308 that shoots into 1" with no work to it at all. I like the feel of the Weatherby better; it feels like a more solid platform. Every one I've ever seen shoots incredible well.
 
The weatherby and the T/C both have sub MOA guarantees. The Howa is indeed the same action as the Weatherby, but the best, truest actions are sent to Weatherby and given the guarantee. The ones that aren't quite up to par become Howa rifles. That doesn't mean Howas aren't accurate, I have one in .25-06 that is sub MOA with the right load, it is however very load picky. What I'm getting at is you have a bit better chance of getting a more accurate rifle if you go with the Weatherby over the Howa. Then if its not sub MOA you can send it back and they will make it right. With the Howa you get what you get.That's one of the reasons the Weatherby is more expensive. Well that and the Weatherby name. There's nothing wrong with the Venture either except for all the recent recalls:eek:
 
Why not start with a basic rifle you know can be upgraded at home as time goes by. The stevens 200. A better long range cartridge would be one of the 6.5's from 260, 260AI, 6.5creedoor and 6.5x55. Pick up a basic 243 or 308 and as dollars allow buy a quality barrel as you can pick parts to build a quality 6.5mm down the road. Even the bolt face can be changed if needed at home. Trigger and stock upgrades along with a barrel upgrade over time at home. Even the 243 could be rechambered to 243AI for a better cartridge but the down side of a 243 is barrel life.

Remember to that 100-500 yards even a 223 is more than capable of shooting with a 308 . You would need a faster twist barrel for heavier/longer bullets but your budget would still low enough to do it. Easier on the shoulder too.

My stevens 200 in 223 is a honest 1/2 to 5/8" rifle at 100 yard rifle with several 55gr bullets. I am using a rifle basic trigger set at 1lb and a bedded boyds stock and have a 6-24 scope to set on it as a replacement for a old foggy 6-18 burris.
 
Why not start with a basic rifle you know can be upgraded at home as time goes by. The stevens 200.
Click to expand...

I have removed Savage and Remington from my selection. I do not like the flimsy Savage stocks and as mentioned above, am not really looking for a rifle that I have to build out.
Click to expand...

Thats why any of the three rifles the OP chose are his best options. Not the Stevens
 
OK-- I am a bit lost here…………???
Why would you choose a 308 over a 270 for long range shooting?
The 270 does it better in the 1st place.
 
While the .270 is flatter shooting, I wouldn't say it's a "better" long range cartridge. The short, fat case of the .308 tends to be more accurate vs the .270 in a situation where all else is equal. Also the .308 has slightly higher ballistic coeffiecients in the heavier bullets and a much wider bullet selection going for it. But I do see where Wyosmith is coming from. At the yardage the OP listed (100-500) the flatter trajectory and higher velocity is more desirable than the slightly higher BC's and (possibly) slightly better accuracy. For a 500 yard target rifle, I'd get a 6.5 creedmoor and not think twice.
 
Last edited:
The main reason for a .308 is the availability of match grade factory ammo. I'm not looking to get into handloading it I can help it.
 
If you ever started handloading you would be hooked. I used to feel the same way as you do about it, then I finally bought all the stuff and started loading for one cartridge, I now have dies to load for almost all of my rifles. But, I guess it's not for everyone.
 
I would go with a Savage Axis.

The Weatherby Vangard states right out of the box to shoot 1.5 inch 3 shot groups.
My daughters .243 did that, but as the barrel heats up, the groups got exponentially larger. Barrel wasn't free floated at all. Pressed tight near action on right side, left side near middle of foregrip, and at the end of the foregrip.
I free floated the barrel, which helped, but the foregrip is subject to moving. aka not stiff at all.
I glass bedded the action, and cut more out of the foregrip, along with grooves, and used acraglas in that too.
Stock is much better, but still not real happy with it. (the gun)

Recrowning the muzzle is next.
 
The Weatherby Vangard states right out of the box to shoot 1.5 inch 3 shot groups.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Here is a quote from the Weatherby website:

Weatherby® Vanguard® Series 2 rifles are guaranteed to shoot a 3-shot group of .99" or less at 100 yards (SUB-MOA) when used with Weatherby® factory or premium ammunition.
Click to expand...

By the way the series 2 is what Weatherby calls all the Vanguards now. There is no longer a Sub-MOA model like there used to be. There is a "Range Certified" model, but all the new Vanguards have a sub-MOA guarantee.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top